50 Strong Tree Names for Girls and Boys

Tree names evoke imagery of canopied forests, the scent of pine, and the feel and sound of crunching leaves. Nature-loving parents are feeling the rise of tree names today making them more popular for newborns than ever before. The last time folks went gaga for botanical names was the Victorian Era and we are positive today’s generation of parents have eclipsed that previous craze.

Tree names offer subtle strength in both sound and character which should appeal to parents who want a name that grows well with their child. The names of trees or names with hidden tree meanings are both on the table for this list as we hope to bring you a good mix of baby names. Some will sound more “granola” than others and we hope that each proves a worthy consideration for your little one of the way. Let’s talk tree names!

Tree Names for Girls

Willow

Willow is a more popular name today than ever before. It comes from an Old English word that also means “willow tree.” These trees are prized for their elegance and are storied possessors of magic.

Tamara

Tamara was once a hugely popular appellation in the US but it fell from the popularity chart in 2009. We think that’s a shame as it is truly a perfectly rhythmic and balanced name. The name comes from a Hebrew root that means “date palm tree.”

Nima

The name Nima can be found in Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi naming traditions. The latter gives the name the means “margosa tree.” The margosa tree is commonly known as a neem tree and it is in the mahogany family.

Linden

An excellent gender-neutral option, Linden names a tree in the Tilla genus. Early pagans and Christians heralded the Linden as a holy tree. It was thought to aid healing and often planted near churches. Before that, the Norse goddess Freya was associated with it.

Randa

A name found in both English and Arabic naming traditions, Randa can mean “scented tree” or “delicate desert tree.” The name has never been a popular choice in the US but you can change that.

Ellery

Ellery is a total possibility that’s accessible even though it has not enjoyed much favor in the US. The name is more popular in the UK where it originated from English, meaning “island with alder trees.”

Alani

Alani is a gentle name of Hawaiian origin, meaning “orange tree.” This name has been quietly on the rise in the US since 2003. It’s more popular today than ever before.

Elowen

Elowen is a special Cornish name for girls and it’s okay to put the emphasis on either the first or second syllable. The name is accessible even though it has never been popular outside of the UK. The name means “elm.”

Olea

Olea is a Latin botanical name that belongs to a genus of trees. It means “olive.” With the popularity of Olivia these days, a name like Olea could be the perfect alternative choice. The name can also be found in Norway and Denmark as a form of a Hebrew name that means “moon” or “night.”

Stockard

Stockard is a name with a stiff upper lip. This amazing appellation originated in England where its root means “tree stump.” As with many of the tree names on this list, it’s never been a popular choice.

Perry

Perry is a gender-neutral name of English origin that means “pear tree.” The last time it was popular for girls in the US was 1883! It’s time to dust off this treasure of a name and pass it along to the next generation.

Mahogany

A dark, rich name like Mahogany carries with it a sense of luxury. The name originated in Spanish, meaning “rich” and “strong.” Mahogany is a straight-grained, reddish-brown timber of three tropical hardwood species that is used for many different purposes thanks to its rich color and durability.

Lilac

Lilac checks a couple of boxes. It’s a wonderful nature name that describes a woody plant that blooms and explodes with the exquisite scent but it also is a color name. The name is English from Persian and means “bluish.”

Kaede

Pronounced Ka-eh-deh, Kaede is of Japanese origin and means “maple tree.” In Japan, the name is used for both boys and girls but we think it’s best for girls in the US as it is so similar to the perennial favorite Katy.

Hazel

One of our favorite tree names is Hazel it comes from English and means “hazelnut tree.” The name experienced a Renaissance that started in the late nineties and it has returned to its former popularity at the turn of the last century.

Ashby

The perfect alternative to the ever-popular Ashley, Ashby is an English habitational name that means “farm of ash trees.” This name has never ranked in the US top-1000 names but we expect that to change in coming years as parents are discovering the virtues of this classic option.

Björk

Sure, this name belongs to an Icelandic musician but we don’t think she has a monopoly on this name. It means “birch tree.”

Hadassah

A popular choice among Jewish families, Hadassah is of Hebrew origin and means “myrtle tree.” It is the Hebrew name of Queen Esther. Once considered “too religious” the name has skyrocketed in recent years as has the nickname Haddie.

Karri

Karri names an Australian tree that’s famed for its richly-colored, strong wood. The tree is of the Eucalyptus genus. The meaning of Karri is “free man.” It was once popular in the US in the 1960s and 1970s but has not returned to popularity since then.

Magnolia

Magnolia is one of the tree names that’s enjoying a comeback that’s more popular than ever before. The name means “Mangol’s flower,” which is a French surname. If you were fortunate enough to grow up with them, you well know that these trees are the best climbing trees on the planet.

Zumar

Zumar is a name of Basque origin that means “elm tree.” In the region, this name is used for both boys and girls. We feel it should make its way to America thanks to that zippy Z sound.

Sadira

A gorgeous name of Persian origin, Sadira is one of the most pleasant tree names for girls that American parents aren’t using. It means “lotus tree.”

Maple

Surprisingly, Maple has never been a popular option. The name that sounds like an antique favorite comes from English and Latin and means “piece of cloth.” We’d love to hear this name at the playground.

Laurel

Laurel has been a mildly popular name in the US since record-keeping began in the 1880s. The name is of Latin origin and means “laurel tree.” The tree was used to make wreaths and crowns in Ancient Rome and it symbolized success and peace.

Idra

Idra is an ancient name of Aramaic origin that means “fig tree.” Way back in the day, fig trees were considered symbols of education, peace, and also prosperity. Unfortunately, Idra has never been a popular choice in the US but we think it’s one of the best tree names for girls.

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Tree Names for Boys

Alamo

Many people don’t lump Alamo with other tree names but this name for boys is absolutely one. It is of Spanish origin and means “poplar tree.” To the Celts, the poplar tree is a symbol of victory, transformation, and vision.

Rowan

Rowan is a name of Irish and Scottish origin and refers to the “rowan tree” and can also mean “little redhead.” The name took off in the late 1990s and it’s going stronger than ever today. Across the UK, the rowan tree has long been believed to ward off witchcraft and enchantment.

Perre

Perre has a casual and cool sound while also sounding just like the fruit. Perre is one of our favorite tree names for boys. It indeed means “pear tree” and was originated from the Normans.

Oren

Once upon a time, the name Oren was a really popular choice for baby boys. That stopped being the case in the 1950s. The gentle name is of Hebrew origin and means “laurel or pine tree.” The name is still popular in Israel today.

Ash

Ash is a name of English origin that means “ash tree.” Traditionally, the name has been given to boys but parents today are seeing it as one of the tree names that also works for girls. If this is too little of a name for you, consider Ashton which means “town of ash trees.”

Cedar

Cedar is an English and French name from a Latin root that means “cedar tree.” This appellation has never been popular as a name but we feel that it should be.

Koa

Koa is a name of Hawaiian origin that means “warrior.” The name also belongs to Koa trees that are native to the islands. Canoes and surfboards are fashioned from it. The name is fairly popular today and it’s been on the rise, in a serious way, since 2017.

Soma

Unheard of outside of its native Hungary, Soma is a charming name that we feel could crossover in the US. The name means “dogwood tree.” Let that beautiful, flowering tree be your inspiration.

Yves

One of our favorite tree names of all time comes from France in the form of Yves which is pronounced exactly the same as Eve. The name means “yew wood.” Rarely heard outside of Europe, we think it’s overdue for its time in the sun in the US.

Naim

Naim is an appellation found in both Scottish and Arabic naming traditions. To the Scots, the name means “river with alder trees.” It can also mean “happy” when looking at the Arabic root. The name is modestly popular outside of the US but we wish it would make its way here. It’s pronounced nah-eem.

Lizar

One of the two Basque tree names on this list, Lizar means “ash tree.” It’s pronounced LEE-sahr. We believe its similarity to Lisa or Liza has kept it from popularity here.

Malus

Malus is one of the Latin tree names to make the list. It means “crab apple tree.” The name sounds almost identical to “malice” but we don’t think that’s a dealbreaker.

Lennox

Lennox is a name that’s been trending for both boys and girls since 2010. The name is of Scottish origin and means “elm grove.” One Annie Lennox is a Scottish musician that has it as a surname.

Ivo

Ivo is a name of German origin that’s been a perennial favorite in the UK for decades. It’s related to Yves and also means “yew wood.” The name can also be translated to mean “archer.” It’s never been popular in the US.

Cullen

Cullen is one of the tree names that’s been up and down the popularity charts through the years. It is of Irish origin and means “holly tree.”

Dara

Yet another one of the Irish tree names, Dara means “oak tree.” The name is also found in Persian, Punjabi, and Khmer meaning “rich” or “noble” or “star.” Unfortunately, it’s never been a popular choice in the US.

Cypress

Cypress is a great gender-neutral choice that goes to boys more often than girls. The name has long been associated with mourning and remains a favored tree for cemeteries in Europe and the Muslim world.

Chan

Chan is an accessible Cambodian name that means “sweet-smelling tree.” Most people confuse this one for a short form of Channing or Chandler, but it’s a standalone name.

Cornel

Cornel names a tree but it also is a form of Cornelius, meaning “horn.” The name landed in the US top-1000 names only one year, in 1947. We’d love to hear more of this one.

Eilon

Eilon and Elon are variations of the same Hebrew name that means “oak tree.” The latter name has been growing in popularity in the US but we prefer the more traditional spelling in Eilon.

Ewan

Ewan is an Anglicized spelling of the Gaelic name Eoghann, meaning “born of the yew tree.” You can also spell this one Euan. Variations of the name are popular in the UK but have yet to take hold in the US.

Figueroa

Figueroa is a name of Spanish origin and one of the few tree names on this list that mean “fig tree.” The name is more commonly heard as a surname in the US but we think it’s past time for it to live on as a given one.

Olivier

Olivier is the French form of Oliver and it’s very popular in Europe but not so much here. As with Oliver, the name means “olive tree.” We think it’s a great alternative to the ubiquity of Oliver.

Tamir

Tamir is another one of the handsome Hebrew tree names to make the list. The name means “owner of many palm trees.”

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Marlow

Marlow is a name of English origin that’s been really heating up for girls and boys in the US. We expect it to land in the US top-1000 most popular baby names in the next couple of years. The root of this name means “driftwood.”

Now you know the best earthy tree names for girls and boys. These strong names will serve your child as they are a celebration of our natural world and one of the most beautiful elements within it. Tree names should appeal to parents who love the great outdoors and want to pass that passion along to the next generation. Happy baby name hunting!